Skip to main content

Caretaker conventions now in place

The Australian Government is operating in accordance with caretaker conventions ahead of the 2025 federal election. New material issued after 9am 28 March 2025, including transcripts, speeches and media releases, will not be available on this site. This information is usually available on the Australian Labor Party website, which is not maintained or funded by the Australian Government.

Independent Review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership

The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP
Media Release

I have now received the report of the Independent Review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP) from Dr Warren Mundy.

The NLAP is a $2.4 billion agreement between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments to fund vital legal assistance services for the most vulnerable people in Australia. The agreement expires next year.

The NLAP funds Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services.

Dr Mundy was asked to consider how future arrangements could better provide access for justice for all who need it.

Legal assistance is essential to ensuring access to justice and equality before the law.

On behalf of the Commonwealth and state and territory governments I acknowledge everyone in the legal assistance sector who engaged with the review and sincerely thank Dr Mundy for his work.

Commonwealth and state and territory governments will now carefully consider Dr Mundy’s report.